The Flea’s fifth Record Fair, and second of 2012, takes place Saturday, October 6, inside Smorgasburg. After two highly successful recent fairs, vendors requested the new twice-annual schedule, particularly to accommodate record labels’ release calendars. Surrounded by 100 food vendors, with special guest DJs all day, and now with SmorgasBar selling Brooklyn-made beer, wine, and spirits, the record fair has become one of the most popular market days of the year.

Four top independent labels join the lineup of 32 vendors: Ghostly International, Merge, Mexican Summer, and Warp. Like many labels, Merge is debuting a major fall album before its official release date at the record fair: Jiaolong by Daphni (aka Dan Snaith of Caribou). Similarly, Kanine Records will be selling copies of its Grizzly Bear vinyl/LP reissue of Horn of Plenty before its January 2013 release; Minimal Wave will have pre-release copies of its latest, Deux’s “Golden Dreams” EP; Ghostly will have pre-release 12″s of HTRK/Tropic of Cancer’s “Part Time Punks Radio Sessions”; and many more.

Just announced: Flying Lotus will be signing copies of his excellent new album, Until the Quiet Comes, at the Warp Records booth on Saturday.

The event also marks the launch of renowned Delaware craft brewery Dogfish Head‘s sponsorship of the record fair. As independent producers, music-lovers and even creators of their own annual record fair in Rehoboth Beach, Dogfish is a perfect partner for us. In addition to its popular 60 Minute IPA and Punkin Ale, Dogfish will have available its rare seasonal “Bitches Brew,” inspired by the Miles Davis album.

The record fair poster (above) was again designed by the awesome Rotter & Friends. The fall version replaces the spring LP cover art (Brian Eno’s Another Green World) with LCD Soundsystem’s self-titled debut album.